Natick man proposes restricting Styrofoam, pesticide use

Tuesday

Sep 2, 2014 at 5:52 PMSep 2, 2014 at 5:52 PM

By Brian BensonDaily News Staff

NATICK – A resident is proposing Town Meeting restrict the use of polystyrene and pesticides."A lot of people in Natick are concerned about our place in the world and if we contribute positively to keeping our environment clean and safe," said Robert Rowe, who has sponsored citizens petitions for fall Town Meeting on the topics.The ban on polystyrene, known by the trademarked name Styrofoam, could apply to food and beverage containers made from the material, among other uses of polystyrene, Rowe said.Rowe said that when polystyrene is thrown away, it clogs landfills and enters waterways. He also worries there may be a health risk from styrenes leaching into hot food or drink.Styrofoam is rarely recycled, he said. Businesses could use paper products that are easily recycled, cutting down on the amount of trash sent to landfills.Anthony Matarazzo, owner of Lola’s Italian Groceria, said most of what he uses is already recyclable, though he does use some polystyrene. Matarazzo said a ban would not have a major effect on his business, but it could affect a coffee house since it is more expensive to purchase alternatives to polystyrene.Rowe said costs for alternatives may come down as more communities require them.Pesticides, Rowe said, are likely a much more harmful product than polystyrene. He said he is considering basing a potential Natick ban on the Washington, D.C., suburb Tacoma Park, which banned use of cosmetic pesticides on lawns.He said he does not plan to target chemicals used to control nuisance pests such mosquitoes and carpenter ants that could damage homes.He said children are exposed to pesticides before they are old enough to decide whether or not to expose themselves to them. And, Rowe said, some pesticide exposure could contribute to cancer, Parkinson’s disease and other ailments.Pesticides applied to lawns can run off into other areas of the neighborhood and enter waterways, he said."Lawn pesticide use affects all Natick residents," Rowe said.Ed Mailhot of Ed's Tree and Landscape in Natick, said a ban would not affect his business because it, like some other landscaping companies, is not certified to apply pesticides. Mailhot said there are natural ways to cut down on weeds.Rowe said definitions of what comprises a weed change over time."What makes a plant a weed often is only a matter of opinion," he said.Rowe acknowledged it could be difficult to get Town Meeting to adopt his proposals."I'm willing to negotiate and make compromises so we can get some form of improvement," he said.Town Meeting when it convenes next month is also expected to consider a ban, proposed by Pat Conaway, on certain plastic bags used in stores.Brian Benson can be reached at 508-626-3964 or bbenson@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @bbensonmwdn.